Carbonizing process



' July 4, 1933 w. E. TRENT CARBONIZING PROCESS 31, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec.

July 4, 1933. w. E. TRENT GARBONIZING PROCESS Original Filed Dec. 31, 1924 4 Sheets-$heet 2 m o ououononouonowvnonowov Sheets-Sheet 3 w. E. TRENT 1,916,939

RBO ING v July 4, 1933. w TR NT 1,916,939

CARBONIZING PROCESS Original Filed Dec. 31, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WELT'ER nnwrn TRENT, or NEW YORK, n. "r1,

E T OFFICE anon ro 'rnnmr raocms coarom- TION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y A GQBPOBATIQN OF DELAW i g 1 me;

, 7 Application filed December a1, 1924, serial no. reams. nmewearebmar a, was.

The invention relates to a process for carbonizing finely, pulverized coal particles, preferably mixed with oil, to produce caronized bodies forming a high grade fuel. It has been observed that fuel masses or charges. consisting of coal-oil amalgams,

even when coking coal is used, can be heated, dried and distilled without swelling of the masses or charges if the heat treatment is is very gradually and uniformly applied.

Carbonaceous bodies may thus be produced which are dense and heavy and substantially the same in size and contour as the original fuel masses, contain a low or no per- 15 centage of volatiles and are smokeless when burned. ll find that such carbonized bodies may also be very satisfactorily produced it the heat during the period when the volatile matter is being driven off is applied graduan ally and the temperature does not exceed the softening point of" the coal, and is never so high as to cause a violent evolution of gas or a substantial fusing or melting of the coal.

ll also find that if the fuel masses are given a general rolling action during the heat treat:

ment thereof, this facilitatesthe formation of a carbonized product having the characteristics referred to.

The invention, among its objects, there- 33) tore, embraces a process for carbonizing preformed masses of coal and oil of a substantially plastic consistency wherein the green fuel is supported on a heated carrier, which transfers heat imparted to the carrier to said preformed :tuel bodies supported thereon to remove the volatiles from the fuel and produce a dense carbonized residue. In accordance with the invention, the carriers preferably are heated by the insertion of heat .40 absorbing elements disposed therein so that the heat is transmitted to rotatably supported fuel masses by conduction. By rotatably supporting the fuel units, a case hardened or carbonized fuel is-produoedwhich has'not ,undergone a material swelling or pung and is substantially the size of the green fuel. This I attribute to the'rolling support and the uniform heating of the mass.

The invention further comprehends a proc- 0 ess wherein theiuel carriers pass through a In this process the heating elements are first :heated in a zone distinct from the distilling zone, are then transferred to the carriers for passage through the distilling zone, and after such passage are removed for a further heat treatment. 7

In carrying out my process, I have discovered that it is highly advantageous to loosely support the preformed masses of fuel on adjacent circular carriers containing heating elements to enable the fuel masses to move or rotate on said carriers "during the time they are receiving a heattreatmentto provide a dense carbonized mass, as distinguished from a spongy porous coke frequently produced in the practice of the prior art processes.

In a more specific aspect, my invention comprises a process wherein an endlessconveyor travels through a distilling zone, said conveyor being arranged to receive preformed fuel masses on each side thereof distilled' by heat imparted thereto from the insorted heat transfer elements, the conveyor travelling in a path that will cause the supsubsequently collected and to also automatirally insert the fuel charges and the heating elements on the carrier and to remove the carbonized masses after passage through the distilling zone. Said masses are self-sustaining and can he formed of any desired con lie. the accompanying drawings 1 have, we

shown diagrammatically an apparatus capable of-carrying out this process.

In the drawings F igurel represents a diagrammatic plan view'of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a sideelevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the rod heating furnace and the parts associated therewith. v

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of .the distilling carrier; and,

F igure 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Figures 6 and 7 are'views of a modified .form of carrying means for green fuel.

In carrying out the process by the use of the apparatus as herein shown, the green fuel which is preferably a plastic mass of finely pulverized coal and oil is introduced through a feed linel to an extruding machine 2. This mass is of a consistency substantially the same as putty and may be a product made by the process described in my Patent N 0. 1,420,164. 1

1 The extruding machine is of any-conventionaljtype, being so formed as to extrude therefrom a plurality of cylinders, of any desired length and diameter. The extruded cylinders are introduced to trays 3 moving on a conveyor 4. Any number of these trays may be used "and each tray is formed with openings to receive the extruded cylinders. The conveyor 4 runs parallel for a portio of its length with the endless distilling conveyor 5, travelling through the distilling chamber 6 and of a construction which will be now described, and the extruded cylinders carried in the trays 3 of the conveyor 1 are transferred thence to conveyor 5 by means of the reciprocating ejector 31.

The distilling chamber 6 is formed with a series of side rails or tracks 7 extending in a circuitous path .therethrough. On these tracks or rails the fuel distilling conveyor 5 travels. The conveyor is moved by means of a drive wheel 7 driven by any suitable -source of power and having a driving connection therewith. This distilling conveyor is preferably composed of a series of links 8. As each link in the conveyor is the same in construction a description of one will sufiice for all. Each link which is ofcast iron metal, is provided withopenings to receive the containers of cast iron or the like, having open interiors and also open ends 10. The containers are preferably reduced in external diameter at their ends 11,;passing through apertures in adj acent links 8f0r the purpose of pivotally connecting the various links ofthe conveyor. The ends of the containers ride on the track 7, as clearly shown in the drawings.- The containersar'e preferably disposed in a horizontal plane, and two containers are carried. by each link. Each link isalso formed with openings 12 therein to[ receive the preformed fuel charges ro- .duced in the extruding machine 2. T ese openings also receive shields or retainers 13 beneath the containers 9. The openings 12 in the links and the shields 13 therefor .pro-

. vide means for receiving the fuel charges to properly retain said charges in position during travel through the distilling oven. It is obvious that a plurality of the links are pivotally connected by the containers 9 so that these links move as an endless conveyor through the distilling chamber 6 therefrom at one side where car onized charges are ejectedand green charges introduced to the receivers for travel throughthe distilling oven. From the oven 6 vapors and gases discharge through the lines 14 to the discharge line 15 leading to suitable condensers and receivers.

The mechanism for loading the distilling carrier including the extruding machine 2, the conveyor 4, the trays 3 and the injector 31 has been described, so that I will now describe the mechanism for loading the containers 9 with highly heated metallic rods 19 or the like, the mechanism for removing these rods when they have passed through the distilling chamber and the mechanism for discharging the carbonized cylinders from the openings 12. Disposed adjacent the distilling oven 6 is a heating furnace 15. This furnace is heated by .gas jets 16- or any other suitable means. The rods 19 pass through the furnace 15, to and from which they are fed by means of the conveyors 17 and are heated therein to an exceedingly high temperature. They ma be cast-iron or any other suitable heat absor ing material. Just as the distilling conveyor enters the distilling chamber 6 the mechanism 20 is operated to reciprocate a plunger21 having an ejecting member 22 which forces the highly heated rods from the point X into the carriers or containers 9. The rods are of substantially less diameter than the diameter .of the containers and the ejector mechanism is so operated as to rapidly force said rods into the carriers. The rods are transferred to the carriers at a time when they are at their max imum temperature and at or soon after the time the green fuel cylinders have been transferred from the trays 3 to the openings 12 in the links 8 of the distilling conveyor 5. The distilling conveyor with the charges of green fuel and the hot metal rods-then slowly pass through the heating chamber 6. The rods are heated'to a temperature sufiicientto heat the fuel charges to a temperature of say 300 C. These charges are heated by the passage of heat from the rods through the walls of the containers 9 to the fuel charges A supported thereon or in proximity thereto on adjacent retainers 13. During the travel of the fuel charges through the distilling chamassing neraeee her they will alternately lie above and below the containers 9. This is due to the circuitous'course of the distilling conveyor through the distilling chamber 6. During their travel, however, from the point of inlet to the disof large pores which is one objection to coke as now often made. As a carbonized charge leaves the exit B of the oven, the relatively cold heating rods 19 are ejected by a reciprocating ejector 24 of the same construction as the e ector 21, these rods then travelingdown an inclined chute 25 to a platform 26 to be again fed to the heating furnace 15 to be reheated. Any means may be used for reheating these rods. After the discharge of the rods the carbonized fuel cylinders are then discharged by an ejector 27 operated by a cylinder 28. These charges, constituting a dense-carbonized fuel drop into a hopper 29 and are carried by a belt 30 to a suitable point of collection constituting a dense carbonized fuel. The vapors produced in the oven 6 are continuously discharged through lines 14 and 15 to a receiver. It will be'apparent that green charges and the/heated rods are being continuously placed on the distilling carrier and that therefore the carbonized products and the relatively cold heating rods are being continuously removed. No direct heat by means of gas flames, or the like, needbe applied to the material undergoing treatment in the distilling oven. The rods are preferably heated in a furnace entirely separated from the distilling oven and are transferred when in a heated condition to the carriers to transfer their heat through these carriers and to the fuel masses while in transit through thedistilling oven.

It will be understood, however, that heat can be applied to the carriers while travelling through the oven by gas jets or the like, should such an operation be found to be desirable. 1 In Figures 6 and 7 ofthe drawings I have shown a modified form of carrying means or conveyor for the green fuel. In this embodiment of the invention the conveyor links 8' carry a series of tubular containers 9, each container having therein a circular opening 10' adapted to receive the hot heating rods'in the manner hereinbefore described. The spaced openings 11' in each container receive fuel charges inserted therein by modification of the mechanism hereinbefore set forth. One container in this manner carries a series of fuel charges. The heat is transmitted through the walls of each container to the fuel charges to carbonize the same during passage through the distilling oven. Each container is provided with a series of circuthrough, and knives or other cutting implements may be used to pass through said slots to or after the entrance of the container to the distilling oven for the purpose of cutting the contained charges into sections.

'In carryin out my process the fuel units may first be aked or heated for a short period of say one and a half to two hours in any suitable manner preferably at a relatively low temperature, which units if then permitted to be cooled may be subsequently subjected to a. very high temperature and will not swell by reason of the preliminary heat treatment together with the subsequent cooling treatment which seems to destroy both the swelling'and also the coking and fusing properties of the coal. In other words i by giving the fuel masses this first treatment and then allowing them to cool they can thereafter be given a very intense heat treatment without causing a coking or swelling thereof.

It will also be appreciated that in this process the size and temperature of the heating elements will determine the amount of heat transmitted through the containers to the fuel units. The thickness of the container is also a condition to be considered to determine the rate of heat transfer. As the thickness of the container increases the heat will be more gradually-applied to the fuel, resulting in the application of a lower temperature to the fueL. If the containers are very thin with an equal amount of *heat the fuel will undergo a higher heat treatment. It will therefore be apparent that the thick ness of the walls of the containers and the size of the metal heating elements are factors that can be regulated and adjusted de-" pending upon the character of the treatment that is to occur in the distilling zone.

l have also found that it is of substantial advantage to expose the exterior of the fuel masses or charges during their heat treatment to a slight amount ofoxygen. By this contact there is an oxidizing efiect on both the heavy oil residuums and the coal tars that adds strength to the fuel masses and retards the fusing or swelling, thereof. If the fuel utilized is an amalgam as made in accordance with my patent heretofore mentioned it may contain a water content of from 5 to 10 percent. This water content facilitates the oxidizing condition discussed.

It will be appreciated that the water con tent assisting n the oxidation of the coal surfaces serves to expose a honeycomb sur 65 hr spaced slots12 extending entirely there: is not to be limited in its application to the precise apparatus shown The invention may be practiced with the use of apparatus of other forms than that shown or in various modifications thereof. For example,

instead of arranging the conveyor soas to cause the fuel masses and associated heating elements to move in a sinuous or circuitouszone, in heating the masses during passage through said distilling zone .to remove volatiles therefrom, and in rolling said preformed masses during the distillation thereof to maintain the carbonized residue in substantially the same contour and of the same dimensions as the preformed carbonaceous masses. L

2. A carbonizing process consisting in forming carbonaceous fuel into elongated masses, in passing said preformed masses through a distilling retort, in heating the masses by-the indirect application of heat as they pass through such retort to a temperature sufficient to remove volatiles from the masses and carbonize the residue, the process being characterized by a rolling of the fuel masses about their major axes during their heat treatment to maintain the carbonized residue in masses of substantially the same contour and of substantially the same dimensions as'thepreformed carbonaceous masses.

3. A carbonizing process consisting in preforming carbonaceous fuel into elongated masses, in subjecting said masses to a temperature sufficient to remove volatiles and produce a carbonized residue, and rotating said fuel masses about their major axes during the distillation thereof to continuously bring different portions of their peripheral surfaces into contact with supporting members. thereby causing the carbonized residue to retain the contour and dimensions of the fuel masses.

4. A carbonizing process comprising forming elongated plastic masses of carbonaceous fuel, continuously passing said masses through a.,.carb onizing zone, applying heat indirectly to said masses traveling through the carbonizing zone, and constantly shifting said masses bodily about their major axes during their passage through the carbonizdetermined contour, continuously advancing said masses through a carbonizing zone on a carrier, placing preheated elements on the carrier adjacent said masses to heat the masses indirectly during passage through the carbonizing zone, and bodily shifting the masses during their travel through the carbonizing zone to prevent swelling or distortion ofthe carbonized residue.

6. A carbonizing process comprising forming carbonaceous fuel into masses of a predetermined contour, continuously advancing said masses through a carbonizing zone on a carrier, placing preheated elements on the carrier adjacent said masses to heat the masses indirectly during passage through the carbonizing zone, bodily shifting the'masses during their travel through the carbonizing zone to prevent swelling or distortion of the carbonized residuefreplacing the heating elements by reheated elements after each passage through the carbonizing zone,and indischarging the carbonized masses from the carrier when leaving the carbonizing zone.

7. A carbonizing process consisting in forming coalinto masses of a predetermined contour, in continuously advancing said preformed masses through a carbonizing zone, in advancing heat-emitting elements through said zone in a path adjacent the fuel masses, and in consonance with the movement of said masses, thereby vaporizing volatiles contained therein and forming a carbonized residue, and in shifting said masses bodily as they are advancing through the carbonizing zone.

8. A carbonizing process comprisingform ingfuel mases of a cylindrical contour, continuously passing said masses through a treating zone, applying heat to said masses by conduction from heat-emitting elements associated with said masses and passing through said zone in synchronous relationship thereto, and rotating said fuel masses about their major axes while passing through said zone to continuously bring different por tions of their peripheral surfaces into con-- tact with supporting heat-transmittingsurfaces, thereby efiecting distillation of the volatiles contained in said masses and forming a carbonaceous residueiretaining the contour of the extruded masses;

v 9. The method of. forming reconstructed fuel which consists in agitating a finely divided solid carbonaceous material in a liquid medium having no afiinity therefor, introducing a volatile liquid having an affinity for said carbonaceous'material into said liquid medium during agitation'thereof to form a somewhat plastic amalgam in the form of small pieces, draining the greater portion of the liquid medium from the pieces thus formed, extrudin quantities of said pieces vided solid carbonaceous material in a liquid medium having no affinity therefor, introducing a volatile liquid having an affinity for said carhonaceous material into said liquid during agitation thereof to form a somewhat prlastic amalgam, removing the amalgamone the liquid medium, and heating the amalgam in the presence of air to vaporize moisture from the amalgam and reduce the percentage of volatiles therein, and to harden the resultant product.

11. The method of preparing fuel which consists in passing a stream of plastic blocks of oil wet fine coal through a chamber in whichthey are heated and in which they are subjected toan oxidizing action.

12. The method of preparing fuel which consists in passing a stream of plastic blocks of oil wet fine coal through a chamber in which they are heated and are subjected to an oxidizmgaction and changing the arrangement of the blocks in said stream while they are being subjected to said oxidizing action. Y

13. The method of preparing fuel which consists in passing a stream of plastic blocks of oil and water wet fine coal through a chamber in which the temperature of the blocks is progressively increased, ,and separately discharging from said chamber the vapors driven out of the blocks at different temperatures.

14. The method of preparing fuel which consists in assing plastic blocks of oil and water wet e coal through a chamber in which the temperature of the blocks is proessively increased, separately discharging i1 om said chamber the vaporsdriven out of the blocks at different temperatures, and recoverin the vapors evolved from the blocks at the higher temperature.

15. The method of forming reconstructed fuel which consists in combining finely divided solid carbonaceous material with a volatile liquid having an affinity for said carbonaceous material and forming the mixture into a somewhat plastic amalgam in the form of small pieces, extruding quantities of said pieces to form bars, and heating said bars to vaporize moisture therefrom and to reduce the percentage of volatiles in said amalgam to the point where thebars become solid.

16. The method of forming reconstructed fuel which consists in combining finely divided solid earbonaceous material with a volatile liquid having an affinity for said carbonaceous material and forming the mixture into a somewhat plastic amalgam, and heating the amalgam in the presence of oxygen to vaporize moisture from the amalgam and reduce the percentage of volatiles therein, and to harden the resultant product.

17 The method of forming reconstructed fuel which consists in combining finely divided solid carbonaceous material with a volatile liquid having an affinity for said carbonaceous material and forming the mixture into a somewhat plastic amalgam, molding the amalgam into shapes of predetermined contour, and heating the amalgam in the presence of oxygen to vaporize moisture from the amalgam and reduce the percentage of volatilestherein, and to harden the resultant product.

18. A process for preparing solid fuel which comprises forming a plastic coal-oil mixture into briquets, distilling volatile portions of the oil from the briquets, and carbonizing the briquets in an oxidizing atmosphere.

19. A fuel producing process which comprises mixing finely divided coal with a volatile liquid to form a plastic mixture, briqueting the mixture, distilling the liquid from the resultant briquets, and carbonizing the briquets under oxidizing conditions.

20. A carbonizing process which comprises forming finely divided coal into a plastic mixture containing water, briqueting the mixture and vaporizing the water out of the resultant -briquets, and carbonizing the briquets in the presence of oxygen.

21. A process for producing solid fuel from coal-oil amalgam containing water which comprises molding such amalgam into individual masses, distilling the water and volatile portions of the oil from the masses, and carbonizing the masses while exposed to the action of oxygen.

22. A process for producing solid fuel which comprises forming a plastic mixture of coal and oil into briquets, advancing the briquets substantially continuously through a heating zone, and gradually and uniforml heating the briquetsv during their advance through the heating zone to effect baking thereof.

23. A process for producing solid fuel which comprises forming a plastic mixture of coal and oil. into briquets, advancing the briquets substantially continuously through a heating zone, and gradually and uniformly heating the briquetsgin an oxidizing atmosphere during their advance through the heating zone to effect baking thereof.

24. A process for producing solid fuel which comprises forming a. plastic mixture of coal and oil into briquets, advancing the briquets substantially continuously through a heating z one, and gradually and uniform 1y heating the briquets during their advance through the heating zone to effect baking thereof, and changing the position of the briquets while being heated.

25. A process for producing 'solid fuel which comrises forming a plastic mixture of coal an oil into briquets, advancing the briquets substantially continuously through a heating zone, and gradually and unif orm- 1y heating the briquets in an oxidizing atmosphere' during their advance through the heating zone to effect baking thereof, and -changing the position of the briquets while being heated. 4 I

In testimony whereof I aflix my si 'ature.

WALTER EDWIN TR NT. 

